Environment & Ecology and Science & Technology

30/11/18 to 27/12/18

1. Plastic Pollution: Micro plastics, Single-use plastic Context: TTD all set to go plastic-free soon

The paper boxes that are likely to replace the polythene covers meant for carrying Tirupati

laddus. The white polythene covers used for carrying the famous laddus prepared by the Tirumala

Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will soon become a thing of the past, with the management contemplating replacing them with food grade paper boxes.

While Tirupati city has successfully implemented a ban on single use covers, plates and cups made of plastic, the hill town of Tirumala is taking baby steps towards becoming part of the larger framework.

After mulling various options, including introduction of biodegradable plastic covers and cloth/jute bags, the TTD is most likely to settle for paper boxes, similar to those used in bakeries and sweet shops.

It was initially feared that the excessive absorption of ghee by paper boxes would impact the quality of the laddu, which was subsequently proved wrong. The absorption of ghee was less than expected, thanks to the lesser surface area of contact between the spherical laddu and the cubical box.

Tirumala is currently the source point for the distribution of tens of thousands of plastic covers a day to devotees. The shift to paper box, once initiated, will make Tirupati a plastic-free city in its true sense.

1.1 Bioplastics may not be a viable alternative to plastic

News: According to the study by researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters an increased consumption of bioplastics in the following years is likely to generate increased greenhouse gas emissions from cropland expansion on a global scale.

Harmful Impact of plastics:

Plastics are usually made from petroleum, with the associated impacts in terms of fossil fuel depletion but also climate change.

It is estimated that by 2050, plastics could already be responsible for 15% of the global CO2 emissions.

Bioplastics:

Bioplastics are in principle climate-neutral since they are based on renewable raw materials such as maize, wheat and sugarcane. These plants get the CO2 that they need from the air through their leaves.

Producing bioplastics therefore consumes CO2, which compensates for the amount that is later released at end-of-life. Overall, their net greenhouse gas balance is assumed to be zero.

Concerns with bioplastics:

Bioplastics are thus often consumed as an environmentally friendly alternative. However, at least with the current level of technology, this issue is probably not as clear as often assumed.

The production of bioplastics in large amounts would change land use globally. This could potentially lead to an increase in the conversion of forest areas to arable land.

However, forests absorb considerably more CO2 than maize or sugar cane annually, if only because of their larger biomass.

Impact of biofuel

Experience with biofuels has shown that this effect is not a theoretical speculation. The increasing demand for the “green” energy sources has brought massive deforestation to some countries across the tropics.

They simulated the effects of an increased demand for bioplastics in major producing countries. They used and extended a computer model that had already been used to calculate the impacts of biofuel policies. It is based on a database that depicts the entire world economy.

The study found that it takes a lot of time for the switch to bioplastics to pay off. The belief that bioplastics will reduce the amount of waste in the oceans may not even come true.

2. UN climate conference COP 24

News:

Activists marched in Brussels seeking action on carbon emissions at the UN Climate Conference COP24, which has begun in Katowice, Poland.

COP24 the two-week 24th conference of the parties of the United Nations Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) started on Sunday in Katowice, Poland, with a special focus on carbon neutrality and gender equality.

Under the agreement, all countries have committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the global average rise in temperature to well below 2°C, and as close as possible to 1.5°C.

A Green Conference

To limit COP24’s footprint and achieve carbon neutrality locally, the conference organisers have taken a series of different measures. First, public transportation in the city is free of charge for the duration of the conference, for all participants.

In addition, reusable materials have been used to set up the conference rooms, including carpets and backdrops. Recycled cardboard furniture was installed in all the main meeting spaces.

The conference will also enforce a strict waste management policy: distinct recycling bins will be available in all meeting rooms; the packaging of electronic equipment has been saved and will be reused after the conference is over; the packaging of catering products is environmentally friendly; single-use plastic products are limited across the space; and overall, the conference is dispensing with paper as much as possible, with official documents available only in digital versions.

Unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions due to the event will be tracked through a rigorous calculation by the organisers based on international standards.

2.1 Accounting methods of climate fund questioned

Context

The Finance Ministry has issued a ‘discussion paper’ that has criticised the accounting methods used by developed countries to report how much money they have given, so far, to developing countries to address climate change.

Details of the issue

Accounting procedures, regarding the flow of climate finance, is one of the most controversial issues being debated at Katowice, Poland where countries have gathered to agree upon a ‘Rule Book’ to implement the Paris Agreement of 2015, that commits countries to ensure the earth doesn’t warm 2C beyond pre-industrial levels.

In 2019, developed countries are expected to make available $100 billion annually to developing countries, according to a 2010 agreement in Cancun.

It argues that the definition of climate finance in the UNFCCC has remained “imprecise and incomplete.” There was no clarity on whether the developed countries’ commitment to ‘provide funds’ meant funds committed or those that made it to their intended recipients.

The total pledges to the Green Climate Fund was a “meagre” $10.3 billion. Further, most of the total climate finance has flowed into mitigation (a reference to preventing carbon dioxide from being emitted).

Green Climate Fund

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was adopted as a financial mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the end the Cancun Summit in 2010.

The GCF is intended to support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing country for combating climate change.

The GCF finances activities to enable and support, adaptation and as well as mitigation

(including REDD+), technology development and transfer (including CCS), capacity-building and the preparation of national reports.

The important distinction of GCF is that it has an independent legal status and personality and nationally designated authorities have a paramount role to play. This has been achieved after many rounds of different negotiations.

The GCF follows a ‘country-driven approach’, which envisages effective involvement of various stakeholders at all levels and also enables the developing countries to evolve their climate policy keeping in consideration their immediate development priorities like poverty reduction and improving standards of living for a large proportion of their population.

The effectiveness with which a country is able to tap the resources from the GCF and use them effectively is dependent on how well the country’s government and its various institutions have prepared themselves to access the Fund.

It is based in South Korea and governed by a Board of 24 members and initially supported by a Secretariat.

The World Bank serves as the interim trustee of the GCF, and the Fund functions under the guidance of and remains accountable to the UNFCCC Conference of Parties.

What is Paris Agreement?

Paris Agreement is an international agreement to combat climate change. In 2015, the governments of 195 nations gathered in Paris, France, and discussed a possible new

global agreement on climate change, aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and thus reduce the threat of dangerous climate change.

The 32-page Paris agreement with 29 articles is widely recognized as a historic deal to stop global warming.

As countries around the world recognized that climate change is a reality, they came together to sign a historic deal to combat climate change – Paris Agreement.

The aims of Paris Agreement

Keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level.

Pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.

2.2 Shift to low carbon

Editorial Analysis:

It is important to note that both rich and poor countries have faced extensive damage from storms and heatwaves this year 2018.

Further, as climate representatives meet in Poland for the Conference of the Parties 24, the crucial question is whether carbon emissions will be reined in to avert further damage due to climate change.

In India for example, rains, floods and landslides in Kerala have killed 373 people since May 30, 2018. Also, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Assam were battered by floods this year, as was Chennai in 2015.

Meanwhile, however, Delhi, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, among other States, experienced heatwaves.

A Perspective on Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

It is important to note that Greenhouse gas emissions, of which carbon dioxide is the biggest component, make the earth warmer and lead to more heatwaves.

Importantly, a study in the journal “Scientific Reports” found that the decadal mean of daily maximum temperature for April and May in the 2010s is 40-42°C over large parts of India.

One should note that warmer air holds more moisture, which results in more intense rainfall and provides more energy for storms.

Climate scientists attribute the rising trends in flooding and heatwaves to human-induced climate change.

Experts opine that in the absence of a shift to a low carbon economy worldwide, the average temperature could rise by more than 2°C by the end of this century.

Further, hotter, longer summers and excessive rainfall in some areas and droughts in others will damage crops.

Warm coastal waters will turn unsuitable for certain species of fish. It is important to note that adapting to a changing climate is one part of the agenda.

What Japan has done: A Case in Point

Japan has invested a lot of money on coastal defences. It has built the world’s largest underground flood water diversion facility. However, India presents a different Geography. With a coastline of about 7,500 km, most of

which is low-lying, India cannot make such colossal investments. From an Indian Perspective, better early warnings and timely evacuations have had huge pay-

offs, the most striking example being the massive relocation of people from the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before Cyclone Phailin struck those areas.

Concluding Remarks:

Experts conclude that adaptation will not suffice unless mitigation takes central stage among the world’s leading emitters, including India.

It is important to note that India has committed to cuts in carbon emissions consistent with a 2˚C temperature rise. However, plans to build new coal-fired power plants need to be abandoned and replaced with a massive ramp-up of wind and solar power.

Further, India’s stakes in a low carbon world economy are among the highest as it is on the front line of climate disasters and is also a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

In conclusion, apart from taking steps to adapt to climate change, India’s voice in decarbonising the world economy is vital.

2.3 ‘CO2 levels poised for record high’

Context

Global carbon emissions are set to hit an all-time high of 37.1 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2018, according to researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Global Carbon Project.

Details of the Research

India, the third-highest contributor, is projected to see emissions rise by 6.3% from 2017. The 2.7% projected global rise in 2018 has been driven by appreciable growth in coal use for

the second year in a row, and sustained growth in oil and gas use, according to the study that was published simultaneously on Wednesday in several leading scientific journals.

CO2 emissions have now risen for a second year, the study’s authors say, after three years of little to no growth from 2014 to 2016. The rise in 2017 was 1.6%.

The 10 biggest emitters in 2018 are China, U.S., India, Russia, Japan, Germany, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Canada. The EU as a region of countries ranks third. China’s emissions accounted for 27% of the global total, having grown an estimated 4.7% in 2018 and reaching a new all-time high.

Emissions in the U.S., which has withdrawn from its commitment to the Paris Agreement, account for 15% of the global total, and look set to have grown about 2.5% in 2018 after several years of decline.

Limiting global warming to the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of keeping the global temperature increase this century to well below 2°C, would need carbon dioxide emissions to decline by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by about 2050.

Possible impacts of Global Warming

Climate change is expected to have a significant influence on terrestrial biodiversity at all system levels – ecosystem, species and genetic diversity.

According to World Meteorological Organization, climate change can adversely impact global environment, agricultural productivity and the quality of human life. More importantly in developing countries, it will be difficult for farmers to carry on farming in the increased temperatures.

The monsoon accounting for 75% of India’s rainfall significantly impacts country’s agriculture and livelihood of tens of millions of small farmers.

Climate change, more particularly harsher weather conditions, will have impact on the quality, productivity, output and viability of fish and aquaculture enterprises, thereby affecting fishing community.

Rising sea levels owing to climate change would force communities in low-lying coastal areas and river deltas to move to higher ground level.

Glaciers the world over are thinning and shrinking as the planet warms, and glaciers in the Himalayas are receding faster than anywhere else

Environmental consequences of climate change, such as extreme heat waves, rising sea-levels, changes in precipitation resulting in flooding and droughts, intense hurricanes, and degraded air quality have impact directly and indirectly on the physical, social, and psychological health of humans.

2.4 Still on the last chance saloon (Conference of the Parties (COP-24)

Editorial Analysis:

Experts have pointed out that the world is in deep trouble. A fact that lends credence to the above is that average global temperatures have crossed a

degree Celsius above preindustrial levels and such concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (410 ppm) has never been seen by humans before.

It is important to note that the 24th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, Poland (December 3-14) is meant to take forward steps to address this threat of climate change.

The Geopolitics surrounding the Meeting:

Experts point out that the purpose of the meeting in Katowice, Poland is to set guidelines, or agree on a rulebook, to implement pledges that were made by various countries at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015.

It is also important to note that in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), planned ahead of the Paris COP-21, each country described the actions it would take and the levels to which greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be reduced (mitigation).

Many of these countries also described what they would do to improve their capacity to live in a warmer world (adaptation), and the extent to which these goals required support in the form of finance or technology transfer.

Experts opine that given the fact that the Paris Agreement (PA) was ratified rapidly and went into force within a year (in November 2016), one would think that agreeing on how to implement something that everyone wanted would be straightforward. However, a few countries think otherwise.

At Paris, for example, the global community agreed to try to limit warming to 1.5° C above preindustrial levels since the effects can be dire beyond that.

For instance, small island nations already face devastating effects with the rise of mean sea levels due to climate change.

It is important to note that the current conference at Katowice comes soon after a special publication by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the 1.5 Degree Report, according to which what we need are far-reaching, speedy transformative changes in our societies in order to stay below 1.5° C.

Experts point out that calling for an immediate and drastic drop in GHG emissions through technology and lifestyles and a focus on mitigation and adaptation, the report was an “all hands on deck” alarm.

A Look at a few specifics

Experts point out that when all nations agree on how to gather, count and report on their emissions and the process is standardised, the implementation of the Paris Agreement (PA) becomes more grounded.

Further, there was reportedly some progress on these processes at the intermediate meeting held in preparation for the Katowice COP. However, there also has to be a general agreement on how to estimate adaptation. This is more complicated and varied and is still being developed.

There has been little, if any, progress on finance, technology transfer and capacity development. It is important to note that Article 9 of the PA calls for financial support from developed countries that is significantly derived from public funds, which “should represent a progression beyond previous efforts”.

This was expected to result in at least $100 billion per year to address needs and priorities of developing countries for mitigation and adaptation.

Article 9.5 requires developed countries to communicate their levels of support, including pledges of additional finance.

Even a rough estimate of financial needs for implementing all the NDCs puts it at $4.4 trillion, according to a 2016 briefing paper from German watch. The Climate Funds Update of 2018 notes that multilateral funds pledged until 2017 are less than $30 billion, of which around $20 billion has been deposited and about $4 billion disbursed.

Even according to the recent Summary Report of the Standing Committee on Finance under the UNFCCC, the total finance flows were around $38 billion in 2016, and much of this has been through multilateral funds.

It is important to note that global finance flows are estimated to be close to $700 billion, but this includes renewable energy investment and other cross-border flows. The 2018 Oxfam Climate Finance Shadow report estimates that net new finance amounts to only $16-21 billion.

In addition, there have also been charges of double counting and counting of development aid levelled against developed countries. According to a recent discussion paper from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, what is required is credible, accurate and verifiable numbers on the climate flows expected from developed countries. Such reliable flow will encourage and persuade all countries that commitments made will be fulfilled. The inability to have any agreement between developing and rich countries ensures that the fights on finance and technology will intensify in Poland, especially in the second week. These are very likely to impede progress on the rulebook.

It is important to note that the ethical foundations of the climate change fights on the global stage are based largely on the occupation of atmospheric carbon space by rich countries, leaving little room for growth by the latecomers, which are poor nations.

Countries with average income exceeding $15,000 typically have the capacity and finance and technology to reduce their emissions dramatically. As a matter of fact, they must also alter their lifestyles considerably, which is required for the transformational change that the 1.5 Degree Report calls for.

Some experts opine that trying to change what was agreed at Paris, as has been insisted upon by the U.S., for instance, is tantamount to renegotiating the PA, according to emerging economies and poor countries.

3. SC directs Centre to declare 10 km area around national parks as eco-sensitive

Context The Supreme Court directed the Union Environment Ministry to declare 10 km area around 21

national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country as ‘eco-sensitive zones’. This was because the State governments have taken no effort to protect the area around the

sanctuaries and parks. Sanctuaries in Picture The parks and sanctuaries are the Pobitora sanctuary in Assam; Hemis High Altitude and Kishtewar national parks, Changthang, Hokersar, Trikuta sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir; Jogimatti, Thimlapura and Yadahalli Chinkara sanctuaries in Karnataka; Deolgaon Rehekuri and Thane Creek Flamingo sanctuaries and the Malvan marine sanctuary in Maharashtra; Siroi National Park and Khongjaingamba Ching sanctuary in Manipur; Baghmara Pitcher Plant sanctuary in Meghalaya; Fakim and Puliebadze and Rangapahar sanctuaries in Nagaland; Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar bird sanctuary and Pilibhit sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and the Jorepokhri sanctuary in West Bengal.

4. Migratory birds at Chilika face flu threat

Context

Lakhs of migratory birds which have congregated at the Chilika Lake are facing a threat to their lives following the detection of avian influenza virus barely a few kilometres away from the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary.

Some crows and chickens were found dead inside poultry farms in Krushnaprasad block last week. Subsequently, samples were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, for testing.

The State government informed that the samples have tested positive for H5N1 virus and a massive culling operation would be undertaken from Friday inside private poultry farms in the affected villages.

The Puri district administration would cull birds within one km radius of the place where the carcasses were found. Besides, officers of animal husbandry department have been asked to intensify surveillance in 10 km-radius area.

Avian Influenza (H5N1)

H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or “bird flu”).

Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person.

When people do become infected, the mortality rate is about 60% Almost all cases of H5N1 infection in people have been associated with close contact with

infected live or dead birds, or H5N1-contaminated environments The virus does not infect humans easily, and spread from person to person appears to be

unusual

Chilika Lake

It is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world

It lies in Odisha state on the eastern coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

Because of its rich bio-diversity and socio-economic importance, Chilika was designated as a Ramsar site in 1981 to afford better protection.

It was first waterbody in Indian to be designated as wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub- continent. It was put under Montreux Record (record for such sites where there has been or likely to be

adverse ecological change due to manmade activities), but was later removed from it due to conservation efforts.

Rambha sector in the Chilika Lake is the ideal sector for dolphins to play, flock and mate because of the stillness of the water in the bay area.

5. Poachers kill rhino in Kaziranga

Context

The carcass (the dead body of an animal) of an adult male rhino, its horn missing, was spotted by a tourist group at National Park in upper Assam on Saturday, a senior forest department official said.

On March 3, a female adult rhino was killed outside the Kaziranga National Park area at Lohore Chapori in the State’s Majuli district.

Another rhino was killed at Polokata Tapu near Sitamari under the jurisdiction of Lahorijan forest camp on the midnight of February 11.

One-horned rhinoceros

The greater one-horned rhinoceros is the largest of the three Asian rhinos and, together with African white rhinos, is the largest of all rhino species.

It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. With at least half of the total population, India’s Kaziranga National Park remains the key reserve for this species.

The Indian rhinoceros once ranged throughout the entire stretch of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, but excessive hunting and agricultural development reduced their range drastically to 11 sites in northern India and southern Nepal

What drives poaching?

Kaziranga and its rhinos still remain very much in the grip of both commercial and political interests.

Rhino is far easier to poach than, say, a tiger or an elephant, and far more valuable in that sense.

A carton of horns fetches as much as a carload of tiger derivatives or tusks would. These factors perpetuate the interest in rhino poaching, posing a challenge for controlling them. This interest had in the past made it easy for local insurgent groups to strike cashless arms

deals with operators in Myanmar.

What are the administrative and legal shortfalls?

Local Population – The forest administration least consider as allies the local population, mostly tribals and Muslims. Violent eviction drives against encroachers are common and, at least once, led to deaths caused by police firing.

Killing Poachers – Hundreds of alleged poachers have been gunned down and the number of poachers killed is on the rise. In 2010, Assam extended legal protection against prosecution to staff who kill poachers. Resultantly, from a decadal count of just 17 between 2001 and 2010, the number of poachers killed raised to over 50 in the next 5 years.

Neighbourhood – The anti-migrant rhetoric against alleged Bangladeshis have alienated the minority population in villages around the park. Resultantly, rhino protection does not enjoy much goodwill in its neighbourhood. Winning their support over time can be the best insurance against poaching.

6. India, Nepal and Bhutan plan task force to protect wildlife The governments of India, Nepal and Bhutan are actively considering having a joint task force

for allowing free movement of wildlife across political boundaries and checking smuggling of wildlife across the Kanchenjunga Landscape, a trans-boundary region spread across Nepal, India and Bhutan.

The development comes after forest officials and representatives of non-governmental organisation of the three countries visited parts of the landscape and later held a meeting at Siliguri in north Bengal earlier this month.

P. Pandey of SPOAR, a north Bengal-based wildlife organisation, said that every few months there were cases of elephants, rhino, gaurs and other mammals crossing over political boundaries, triggering panic among locals across the border and also posing a danger to the wildlife.

Related Organisation – National Board for Wildlife

Due to the rapid decline in wildlife population, the Government of India during 1952 had constituted an advisory body designated as the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL).

The Indian Board for Wildlife is chaired by the Prime Minister. Since its inception, more than twenty meetings have been convened and several important decisions relating to conservation of wildlife has been taken by the Board.

During the 1970’s the Government of India appointed a committee for recommending legislative measures and administrative machinery for ensuring environmental protection.

Accordingly, a comprehensive central legislation was enacted in 1972 called the Wildlife (Protection) Act for providing special legal protection to our wildlife and to the endangered species of fauna in particular. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended, the latest being in 2006.

As per the amendment of the Act in 2002, a provision was incorporated for the constitution of the National Board for Wildlife, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife.

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory Board constituted on 22nd September 2003 under Section 5 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The NBWL is chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

7. Great Indian bustard It is a bustard found in the Indian subcontinent. The body is brownish and the wings are marked with black, brown and grey. Males and females

generally grow to the same height and weight but males have larger black crowns and a black band across the breast.

Status Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 CMS Convention and in Appendix I of CITES, Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List

Threats The biggest threat to this species is hunting collisions with high tension electric wires and windmills The untamed, arid grasslands that bustards thrive in are categorised as ‘wastelands’, like most

grassland habitats in India. The push to make these areas more ‘productive’ has seen an increase in water availability in these parts, resulting in the spill over of agricultural land into bustard habitats.

These birds are predominantly insect-eaters; bustards “relished” arugula plants and ate cultivated Bengal gram and Ziziphus or ber berries. But, Intensification of agriculture — including more pesticides, barbed-wire fences and new crops — could endanger the birds’ survival. Measures A landscape-level approach that will incentivise people to take up less intensive agriculture is

required. Talks for a bustard conservation breeding centre in Rajasthan are ongoing, and land will soon

be allotted.

8. Rat-Hole Mining

Context The collapse of a coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills, trapping at least 15 workers and

killing few has thrown the spotlight on a procedure known as “rat-hole mining”.

What is it? Rat-hole mining involves digging pits ranging from 5 to 100 metres deep vertically into the

ground, mostly on a hill side, like a narrow well, to reach the coal seam. These pits are so narrow that only one miner can enter at a time. A small room-sized area is

dug out at the bottom. From this area, miners dig tunnels sideways to reach the coal seam and extract it.

The coal from the tunnel or pit is taken out and dumped on nearby un-mined area from where it is carried to the larger dumping places near highways for its trade and transportation.

These rat-hole mines are spread throughout Meghalaya, but are mostly concentrated in the Jaintia Hills, the South Garo Hills around the towns of Baghamara and Nangalbibra, and the area around Nongjri and Shallang in the West Khasi Hills.

Rat-hole mining is broadly of two types In side-cutting procedure, narrow tunnels are dug on the hill slopes and workers go inside until

they find the coal seam. The coal seam in hills of Meghalaya is very thin, less than 2 m in most cases

In the other type of rat-hole mining, called box-cutting, a rectangular opening is made, varying from 10 to 100 sq m, and through that is dug a vertical pit, 100 to 400 feet deep. Once the coal seam is found, rat-hole-sized tunnels are dug horizontally through which workers can extract the coal.

When was it banned, and why? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in 2014, and retained the ban in 2015, on

grounds of it being unscientific and unsafe for workers. The state government has appealed the order in the Supreme Court.

Concerns Rat-hole mining in Meghalaya had caused the water in the Kopili river (it flows through

Meghalaya and Assam) to turn acidic. The water is severely affected by acid mine drainage originating from mines and spoils,

leaching of heavy metals, organic enrichment and silting by coal and sand particles. The water also has high concentration of sulphates, iron and toxic heavy metals, low dissolved

oxygen (DO) and high BOD, showing its degraded quality. Entire roadsides in and around mining areas are used for piling of coal which is a major source

of air, water and soil pollution. Off road movement of trucks and other vehicles in the area causes further damage to the

ecology of the area It is also informed that there are umpteen number of cases where by virtue of rat-hole mining,

during the rainy season, water flooded into the mining areas resulting in death of many… individuals including employees/workers.

Violation of Laws The state government has been mum about the fact that mine workers work in the most

inhumane conditions. The NGT found that mine owners don’t implement the rules of safe mineral exploration in rat-

hole mining, despite the increase in the number of reported deaths of labourers. Also, non-implementation of the mineral policy and relevant labour laws has enabled mine

owners to completely ignore miners’ safety, all to make a quick buck.

9. Odisha to have another Olive Ridley nesting site soon

Context

The Odisha forest department is all set to add another olive ridley mass nesting site to its wildlife map.

It has started preparing the beach at the Bahuda river mouth in Ganjam district to lure the endangered turtles to come over for mass nesting next year.

Around 3-km stretch of the beach from Sunapur to Anantpur at Bahuda rookery is being developed as a possible olive ridley mass nesting site.

Olive Ridley Turtle

Vulnerable — IUCN Red list Habitat — warm and tropical waters of primarily in the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Atlantic

ocean. Gets name from its olive colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and rounded Unique Feature — synchronized nesting in mass numbers, Operation Olivia — Olive Ridley Turtle protection program undertaken by Indian Coast Guard Mating and breeding season — winter Mostly carnivorous, feeding on such creatures as jellyfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp. They will

occasionally eat algae and seaweed Threats -Poaching for their meat, shell and leather, and their eggs, pet trading, accidental killing

of adult turtles through entanglement in trawl nets and gill nets due to uncontrolled fishing during their mating season around nesting beaches, predators like feral dogs and pigs, ghost crabs, snakes, etc.

Some important nesting sites in India – Hope Island of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh), Gahirmatha beach (Odisha), Astaranga coast (Odisha), Beach of Rushikulya River.

Science & Technology

1. ISRO puts ‘Sharp Eye’ into orbit

Context

Nearly three minutes after lift-off on Thursday, India’s workhorse launch vehicle, the PSLV, carrying 31 satellites on board soared in a trajectory crossing the path of the Sun and sped to inject India’s Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS), being dubbed ‘Sharp Eye’, towards the launcher’s intended first orbit.

Over the course of the next one hour, the team at Mission Control waited for the PSLV C-43 to come up on the other side of the Equator to insert 30 small satellites from various countries into another orbit as requested by the customers. The 30 satellites were part of a commercial launch.

Details of the launch

In its 13th flight of the Core-Alone version and 45th launch of the PSLV, ISRO carried one satellite each from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Malaysia, Netherlands and Spain, and 23 satellites from the U.S. on board as co-passengers of the HysIS.

To a question whether HysIS could be used for anti-terror operations, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said ISRO’s job was only to build the satellite, but did not rule out such a possibility. “Our duty is to mainly build the satellite which can precisely identify an object. The usage…we are not bothering. That depends on the users. Right now it is meant for Earth Observation missions. But after seeing the results, may be…but it’s not in our hands,” he said.

HysIS

The HysIS is an Earth Observation satellite primarily to assist in a wide range of applications in agriculture, forestry, geological environments, coastal zones, among others.

A hyperspectral imaging camera in space can provide well-defined images that can help identify objects on earth far more clearly than regular optical or remote sensing cameras.

The technology will be an added advantage in watching over India from space across sectors including defence, agriculture, land use and mineral exploration.

The new ‘eye in the sky’ can be used to even mark out a suspect object or person on the ground and separate it from the background with applications in trans-border infiltration etc.

The primary goal of HysIS is to study the Earth’s surface in visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

HysIS will be ISRO’s first full-scale working satellite with this capability. While the technology has been around, not many space agencies have working satellites with hyperspectral imaging cameras as yet.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) PSLV was launched in October 1994, it is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launched vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. PSLV has emerged as a workhouse launch vehicle of India with 39 consecutively successful

missions by June 2017. This vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites for customers from abroad. It has also launched Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013.

Comparison between PSLV and GSLV

The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) are two rocket launch systems developed by the Indian Space Research Organization, or ISRO, to launch satellites into orbit.

The PSLV is the older of the two and the GSLV even inherits some of the technologies of the former in its design.

The main reason behind the advent of the GSLV is the capability to lift greater loads into space. While the PSLV can only lift slightly over a ton of payload to GTO (Geostationary Transfer Orbit), the GSLV is capable of lifting more than double that with a rated capacity of 2 to 2.5 tons.

One of the main reasons why the GSLV has such an increased load is its utilization of a cryogenic

rocket engine for its last stage. The cryogenic rocket engine provides more thrust than conventional liquid rocket engines but the fuel and oxidizer needs to be super cooled in order to keep them in a liquid state.

There is also a difference between the PSLV and GSLV in terms of the rocket itself. The PSLV has 4 stages that alternate between solid and liquid fuels while the GSLV has three stages with the only the first stage having solid fuel.

Both rockets have been launched multiple times but the PSLV has had more because it is older. When you look at their track records, it is easy to see that the PSLV is more reliable.

1.1 5.8-tonne GSAT-11 (‘Big Bird’) launched

Context

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-11 from Guiana Space Centre, South America.

Details of the launch

The 5,854 kg satellite, almost double the biggest one built or launched by ISRO to date, will ride up on European launch vehicle Ariane 5 ECA, numbered VA246, between 2.07 a.m. and 3.23 a.m. IST, according to the schedule of Arianespace, which is providing the launch services.

GSAT-11 is part of ISRO’s new family of high-throughput communication satellite (HTS) fleet that will drive the country’s Internet broadband from space to untouched areas; the broadband domain is now ruled by underground fibre and covers partial and convenient locations.

Already up in space are two HTSs — GSAT-29 (November 14) and GSAT-19 (June 2017) — while one more is due to join them in the near future. They are all to provide high-speed Internet data services at the rate of 100 Gbps (Gigabits per second) to Indian users. ISRO has earlier said this speed would be far better than what is available in the country now.

The HTSs will also be the backbone of pan-India digital or easy Internet-based programmes and services — such as Digital India, Bharat Net for rural e-governance, and commercial and public sector VSAT Net service providers.

According to ISRO, GSAT-11’s multiple spot beam coverage — 32 in Ku band and 8 in Ka bands — will deliver an improved service of 16 gbps over the Indian region and nearby islands. It said, “GSAT-11 will play a vital role in providing broadband services across the country. It will also provide a platform to demonstrate new generation applications.”

1.2 GSAT-7A (Angry Bird) launched It is a Military communication satellite Although all Indian communication satellites offer capacity to the armed forces, GSAT-7A will be

the first one built primarily for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to qualitatively unify its assets and improve combined, common intelligence during operations.

This new space-based dimension adds colour to the way the Indian Air Force interlinks,

operates and communicates with its aircraft as they fly and with command centres on ground This satellite using Ku band will enable superior real time aircraft-to-aircraft communication;

and between planes that are in flight and their commanders on the ground. It will also support aerial activities of the Army and the Navy when required. The GSAT-7A incorporates Chemical Propulsion System to provide an operational mission life of

a minimum of eight years. o Chemical propulsion will be used for orbit raising as well as for on orbit attitude correction o Sufficient redundancy is built into the Spacecraft for continued service.

GSAT-7A was launched by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle – F11 (GSLV-F11) GSLV – F11 It is ISRO’s fourth generation launch vehicle with three stages.

The four liquid strap-on motors and a solid rocket motor at the core form the first stage. The second stage is equipped with high thrust engine using liquid fuel. The Cryogenic Upper Stage forms the third and final stage of the vehicle. Significance It would enhance by many times the coverage now provided by ground communication

systems such as radars and stations of the Air Force. Out-of-sight and remote areas where ground infrastructure and signals are difficult would get

into the critical information loop. The satellite is expected to help the IAF interconnect with various ground radar stations,

airbases and AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) aircraft. Pilots can communicate much better with headquarters while they fly. Headquarters can receive

data in real time.

2 Rotavirus infection in babies

Context

By studying the complex interplay between the sugars and microbes in mother’s milk and the baby’s gut microbes, an international team of researchers has tried to understand neonatal rotavirus infection.

Rotavirus infection is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in children under five years worldwide. Babies in 10 Indian states are immunised against rotavirus.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhoea and death among children less than five years of age. It is responsible for around 10% of total child mortality every year. In 2014, nearly 80,000 children died due to rotavirus, whereas about 9 lakh were hospitalised due to episodes of severe diarrhoea.

Kids with a rotavirus infection have fever, nausea, and vomiting, often followed by abdominal

cramps and frequent, watery diarrhea. Kids may also have a cough and runny nose. Sometimes the diarrhea that accompanies a rotavirus infection is so severe that it can quickly

lead to dehydration. As with all viruses, though, some rotavirus infections cause few or no symptoms, especially in

adults. Rotavirus is transmitted by the faecal-oral route, via contact with contaminated hands,

surfaces and objects, and possibly by the respiratory route. Viral diarrhea is highly contagious.

Microbiome

The human body carries diverse communities of microorganisms, which are mainly bacterial. These are referred to as “human microbiome”.

These organisms play a key role in many aspects of host physiology, ranging from metabolism of otherwise complex indigestible carbohydrates and fats to producing essential vitamins, maintaining immune systems and acting as a first line of defense against pathogens.

Research on the human microbiome has thrown light on various aspects — how different parts of the human body are occupied by characteristic microbial communities, and how various factors contribute in shaping the composition of the microbiome, including the genetics, dietary habits, age, geographic location and ethnicity. These studies laid a strong foundation to decipher the microbiome’s implications on health and a wide range of diseases.

3. Zika Virus outbreak in Rajasthan

What is Zika?

Zika is a flavivirus spread mainly by mosquitoes.

It belongs to the same genus as Dengue, Yellow Fever and West Nile Virus.

It is the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which transmits the Zika virus. They mainly bite during the day.

Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual intercourse as well.

Zika virus can be transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy, resulting in microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations in the infant, collectively referred to as congenital Zika syndrome.

Microcephaly is caused by underlying abnormal brain development or loss of brain tissue. Child outcomes vary according to the extent of the brain damage.

There is some evidence that Zika has been in India for long.

In the year, 1954, a survey was conducted in India, which found several Indians with Zika antibodies. However, this evidence wasn’t conclusive, because other flaviviruses, like dengue, can also trigger Zika-neutralising antibodies.

The first confirmed Indian case occurred in 2016 in Gujarat.

After this case, three more cases were detected, before the 2018 Rajasthan outbreak. Despite its long presence in Asia, Zika outbreaks in this region have been benign. This changed with a large French Polynesian outbreak in 2013 and a larger Brazilian one in 2015.

It is also important to note that over the last few years, the international community has banded together to quickly address a growing international public health crisis — the Zika virus epidemic.

After its detection in Brazil during 2015, observant clinicians began to notice a striking increase in the rates of babies born with microcephaly.

There is no treatment or vaccine available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases. Only the symptoms are treated.

What is Microcephaly?

Microcephaly is a rare neurological condition characterised by underdeveloped brains and undersized heads.

Epidemiological, clinical, and experimental data has indicated that microcephaly, and a range of other birth defects (such as miscarriages and ocular disease) could be caused by the Zika virus passing from a pregnant women to her foetus.

From the Recent News:

In the state of Rajasthan, many people were recently infected with the Zika virus. In these cases, Zika is causing fever, rash, muscle and joint pain. Conditions such as microcephaly are characterized by instances in which the child of a Zika-

infected mother is born with an abnormally small head. It is important to note that there is no cure for microcephaly at birth. In rare cases, patients also develop Guillain-Barre syndrome, which causes potentially fatal

muscle weakness. Currently, officials in India are watching out for these complications, since the Rajasthan strain

is closely related to the Brazilian strain. It is important to note that the symptoms from the Brazilian strain were linked to deadlier

conditions such as microcephaly. Recently, Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare held a high level meeting

to review the activities for prevention and control of Zika virus and Seasonal Influenza. Shri Nadda reassured the states for all support from the Union Government. For control of Zika

virus in Rajasthan, the Health Minister emphasized on the need for continuous monitoring. He stated that the Union Health Ministry is in regular contact with the State officials.

Shri Nadda stressed on the need for undertaking exhaustive control measures including intensive fogging for next month in order to ensure vector control in the area.

He also stressed on strengthening surveillance to facilitate the early identification of cases. The Union Health Minister urged the people to not panic and cooperate with the health officials in controlling the breeding of the vectors. He further said that there was no shortage of medicines and testing kits and required support will be provided to the State.

Shri Nadda further directed for mounting aggressive communication campaigns in the state. He

stated that awareness is the key in controlling the vector borne diseases and no stone should be left unturned to reach out to the people. Noting that community participation is a crucial area in prevention, the Union Health Minister urged all the stakeholders to start rigorous awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken at the community level. He stated that the Union Health Ministry is working along with the State government, the local authorities and the Municipal Corporation for augmenting and strengthening their efforts in vector control, surveillance and awareness activities.

He specifically instructed that early detection, reporting and proper categorization of patients is critical for Seasonal Influenza management. Minister has instructed National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to monitor the cases on a daily basis. He suggested that States shall ensure that proper awareness is created regarding the prevention and management of Seasonal Influenza. All States shall also ensure that sufficient supplies of drugs and testing kits are maintained at the State level.

Further, all cases which require hospitalization shall be monitored intensively both at district and State level so as to ensure that fatalities can be avoided. Availability of sufficient functional ventilators for critical case management is important and States shall be advised accordingly. NCDC & EMR shall coordinate with the States to provide training for ventilator management, if need be.

A Closer Look:

o Currently, about 4.5 lakh people at the outbreak site in Rajasthan have been brought under

surveillance. o Although steps to halt mosquito breeding have been initiated, it is to be noted

that controlling the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the Zika virus, is very challenging.

o What compounds matters is that controlling the spread becomes even harder as the mosquito is widely prevalent in India.

o Also, the infection remains asymptomatic in about 80% of cases. This allows the virus to silently spread from one person to another.

o It can also spread from a pregnant mother to the foetus. o Even when the infection manifests, the symptoms are very mild and non-specific, making it

difficult to correctly and easily diagnose it. o It must also be noted that a study published in the journal Neurology India found 14 out of

90 patients with the Guillain–Barré syndrome. o The Guillain–Barré syndrome is a neurological complication seen in Zika-infected adults.

4. M.S. Swaminathan calls GM crops a failure, Centre’s adviser faults paper

Context

A research paper co-authored by leading agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, which describes Bt cotton as a ‘failure,’ was criticised by India’s Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), K. Vijay Raghavan as ‘deeply flawed’.

Details of the issue

The paper, ‘Modern Technologies for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security’, appears in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed journal Current Science. It is authored by P.C. Kesavan and Prof. Swaminathan, senior functionaries of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).

The article is a review of crop development in India and transgenic crops — particularly Bt cotton, the stalled Bt Brinjal as well as DMH-11, a transgenic mustard hybrid. The latter two have been cleared by scientific regulators but not by the Centre.

“There is no doubt that GE (genetically engineered) Bt cotton has failed in India. It has failed as a sustainable agriculture technology and has, therefore, also failed to provide livelihood security for cotton farmers who are mainly resource-poor, small and marginal farmers,” according to the paper, “…The precautionary principle (PP) has been done away with and no science-based and rigorous biosafety protocols and evaluation of GM crops are in place.”

The piece also raises questions on the genetic engineering technology itself on the grounds that it raises the cost of sowing. Also, the insertion of foreign genes (in the plant) could lead to “molecular and cellular events not precisely understood.”

“The Kesavan and Swaminathan ‘Review’ (sic) is deeply flawed and full of errors. Needs scientific rebuttal,” Mr. Vijay Raghavan tweeted from his personal account. Before being appointed the PSA, Mr. Vijay Raghavan, a biologist, was Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, which funds a variety of molecular biology projects. Mr. Kesavan, who is the lead author of the piece, told The Hindu that he was unaware of Mr. Vijay Raghavan’s comment but was expecting a “scientific, point-by-point response (of any flaws).”

Swaminathan, credited with leading India’s Green Revolution, has in recent years advocated ‘sustainable agriculture’ and said the government should only use genetic engineering as a last resort. Swaminathan emphasised that genetic engineering technology is supplementary and must be need based. Only in very rare circumstance (less than 1%) may there arise a need for the use of this technology,” according to the paper.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Genetically Modified Organisms, are the ones in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in such a way as to get the required quality.

The technology is often called ‘gene technology’, or ‘recombinant DNA technology’ or ‘genetic engineering’ and the resulting organism is said to be ‘genetically modified’, ‘genetically engineered’ or ‘transgenic’.

Advantages of GM crops

Crop Protection: The initial objective for developing GM plants was to improve crop protection. GM crops have improved resistance to diseases, pest, insects and herbicides. They also have improved tolerance to cold/heat, drought and salinity.

Insect resistance is achieved by incorporating into the food plant the gene for toxin production from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Virus resistance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from certain viruses which cause disease in plants.

Herbicide tolerance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying

resistance to some herbicides. Economic benefits: GM crops can increase yield and thus income. Genetically modified foods have a longer shelf life. This improves how long they last and stay

fresh during transportation and storage. Food Security: Given the increased growth of global population and increased urbanisation, GM

crops offer one of the promising solutions to meet the world’s food security needs.

Issues with GM crops

Human Health Risks – Potential impact on human health including allergens and transfer of antibiotic resistance markers

Environmental concerns: They can reduce species diversity. For example, Insect-resistant plants might harm insects that are not their intended target and thus result in destruction of that particular species.

GM technology could also allow the transfer of genes from one crop to another, creating “super weeds”, which will be immune to common control methods.

Viral genes added to crops to confer resistance might be transferred to other viral pathogens, which can lead to new and more virulent virus strains.

Economic Concerns: Introduction of a GM crop to market is a lengthy and costly process. It does not result in high yields as promised. For instance, the highest yields in mustard are

from the five countries which do not grow GM mustard — U.K., France, Poland, Germany and Czech Republic — and not from the GM-growing U.S. or Canada.

Critics claim that patent laws give developers of the GM crops a dangerous degree of control over the food supply. The concern is over domination of world food production by a few companies.

Ethical Concerns: Violation of natural organisms’ intrinsic values by mixing among species. There have also been objections to consuming animal genes in plants.

5. Water traces found on asteroid Bennu

Context NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft discovered evidence of water on a relatively nearby skyscraper-

sized asteroid, Bennu, a rocky acorn-shaped object. This may hold clues to the origins of life on Earth. Details Data obtained from the spacecraft’s two spectrometers, the OSIRIS-REx Visible and Infrared

Spectrometer (OVIRS) and the OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) reveal the presence of molecules that contain oxygen and hydrogen atoms bonded together, known as “hydroxyls“.

These hydroxyl groups exist globally across the asteroid in water-bearing clay minerals, meaning

that at some point Bennu’s rocky material interacted with water. Asteroids are among the leftover debris from the solar system’s formation some 4.5 billion

years ago. Scientists believe asteroids and comets crashing into early Earth may have delivered organic

compounds and water that seeded the planet for life, and atomic-level analysis of samples from Bennu could provide key evidence to support that hypothesis.

Scientists are still trying to understand the role that these carbon-rich asteroids played in delivering water to the early Earth and making it habitable.

Background Launched in September 2016, the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification,

Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission is to help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.

OSIRIS-REx will remain in orbit until mid-February 2019 when it will exit to initiate another series of flybys for the next survey phase.

6. Now, graphene can detect brain disorders

Context

Graphene, a form of carbon and a super-strong, ultra-light material discovered in 2004, enables flexible electronic components, enhances solar cell capacity, and promises to revolutionise batteries. Now scientists have added one more use to this list.

They have found a potential new application of this material for detecting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) — a progressive brain disorder for which there is currently “no objective diagnostic test.” This is described in the journal Applied Materials & Interfaces of the American Chemical Society.

About Graphene

Graphene has been touted in the global electronics industry as a “miracle material” given its strength, electrical conductivity and elasticity, and has been seen as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries since its discovery in 2004.

It is a form of carbon that can be used to develop smaller, slimmer batteries but with higher capacity.

Graphene is a carbon material that is one atom thick. Its thin composition and high conductivity means it is used in applications ranging from miniaturised electronics to biomedical devices.

These properties also enable thinner wire connections; providing extensive benefits for computers, solar panels, batteries, sensors and other devices.

The potential applications of graphene include water filtration and purification, renewable energy, sensors, personalised healthcare and medicine, to name a few.

Graphene has excellent electronic, mechanical, thermal and optical properties as well. Its uses range from improving battery performance in energy devices, to cheaper solar panels.